Endothelial function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever-related amyloidosis and association with cardiovascular events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessedand ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis.Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients

Effects of retinoic acid on compensatory lung growth

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We investigated the effect of Retinoic acid in the growth of contralateral lung after pneumonectomy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twentyone adult male Wistar albino rats from the same colony were used. They were divided into three groups (Group A, B and C). Group A undergone only left posterolateral thoracotomy. In Group B and C, the rats were subjected to left posterolateral thoracotomy and left pneumonectomy. In Group C, rats were given intraperitoneal Retinoic acid during the operation and continued to be given everyday postoperatively. Rats were sacrificed on the 10^thday and their total body, right lung weights and right lung volumes were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The volume and weight indices of the lung were found to be higher in Group C. In histopathological examination, there was a reduction in the mean number of alveoli in Group B and C. A significant rise in the mean dimension and average wall thickness of the alveolar structure were determined in Group C.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Retinoic acid contributes to the compensatory growth of the residual lung tissue.</p

Chest-wall metastasis in a patient who underwent liver transplantation due to hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignancy. It may cause extrahepatic metastases through haematogenous or lymphatic dissemination or direct invasion. Furthermore, methods such as fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed to obtain a diagnosis or percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency hyperthermia performed for treatment may also cause tumour dissemination

Catheter-associated recurrent intracardiac thrombosis and factor V Leiden mutation in a child with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Patients with cancer have an increased risk for thromboembolism, which might be related to several factors including central venous catheters and chemotherapeutics. Congenital prothrombotic risk factors might also contribute to thrombotic events. In this report, we present a catheter-related recurrent intracardiac thrombosis in a boy with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and factor V Leiden mutation. Screening for factor V Leiden mutation in children with cancer and recurrent thrombotic events is recommended. Periodic echocardiography may be considered for a group of patients if the catheter tip is in the right atrium and therapy includes L-asparaginase and corticosteroids

Effect of Adventitial Dissection in Brachiobasilic Arteriovenous Fistulae Opened in Children as Vascular Access for Hemodialysis on Patency and Maturation of Fistulae

Background: Recently, therapy of pediatric patients with chronic renal failure has been carried out using hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or renal transplant. In this study, we prospectively investigated the role of adventitial dissection (performed on brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulae in the antecubital area) in the patency rate, maturation, and early initiation of dialysis among pediatric cases undergoing chronic hemodialysis

Intracutaneous versus Transcutaneous Suture Techniques: Comparison of Sternal Wound Infection Rates in Open-Heart Surgery Patients

In open-heart surgery, sternal wound infection after median sternotomy is a critical complication. The intracutaneous suture is conventionally used in closing sternal incisions. In this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial, intracutaneous and transcutaneous suture techniques for closing the sternum were compared with respect to postoperative sternal wound infections and cosmetic results. In this study, we included 100 patients who had undergone open-heart surgery. Skin wounds were closed with intracutaneous suture in 50 patients and with transcutaneous suture in the remaining 50. Superficial or deep sternal infections that developed within 6 postoperative weeks were evaluated. Cosmetic results were similar in the 2 groups. Deep wound infections were not observed in either group. Superficial infection of postoperative sternal wounds occurred at rates of 2% (n = 1) and 16% (n = 8) for transcutaneous and intracutaneous techniques, respectively (P = 0.016). One patient in the transcutaneous group and 6 patients in the intracutaneous group who developed superficial sternal infections were diabetic. Although the use of the transcutaneous suture technique in closing sternal incisions of cardiac surgery patients provided no cosmetic improvement, it decreased the risk of superficial sternal infection and reduced the length of postoperative hospital stay, particularly in diabetic patients

Glutamine administration enhances the healing of lung parenchymal injuries and reduces air leakage in rats

Beneficial effects of glutamine on wound healing are well known. Parenchymal injuries in the lung cause air leakage that resolves with wound healing. We aimed to determine the effect of glutamine on the healing of lung injuries. Wistar albino female rats were randomized in three groups. One group (control, n = 7) received intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (1.5 ml/day), while other group (GLN, n = 7) received glutamine (1.5 g/kg/day), beginning two days prior to the operation for total four days. After thoracotomy, a lung parenchymal lesion was made with a scalpel in the right upper lobe. Only thoracotomy was performed to sham group (n = 4). Air leakage was observed in the isolated lungs of control group, but not GLN and sham groups, at 5 cm H2O of positive airway pressure (p < 0.001). The threshold of positive airway pressure for air leakage was 4.85 +/- 0.37 and 19.42 +/- 4.54 cm H2O for control and GLN groups, respectively (p < 0.001). For measurement of collagen content in the healing parenchyma, digital images were processed to calculate the stained area percentage (SAP). SAP for immature collagen, a marker for wound healing, was 0.36 +/- 0.18% and 1.48 +/- 0.83% (p = 0.02) in control and GLN groups, respectively, but no significant difference was noted in SAP for mature collagen. The grade of inflammation was not significantly different between control and GLN groups. We conclude that glutamine enhances lung parenchymal healing by increasing immature collagen secretion

Inhibitory effect of adenosine on intimal hyperplasia and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in a carotid arterial anastomosis animal model

Purpose: The effect of adenosine (9-beta-0-ribifuranosyladenine) on the endothelial cell proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia is investigated in the rabbit carotid artery anastomosis model